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The
Collins
Once
upon a time there were two brothers in the Collins family,
Tom and John. The pair of them were rather procreative and
gave birth to a whole family of drinks under the Collins banner.
The basic Collins is a “tall” drink of the highball
variety but more so. The classic Collins glass holds between
12 and 16 oz compared to the standard Highball glass of 6
oz. Prior to the Second World war a John Collins was made
with Dutch gin and the Tom Collins was made with “Old
Tom Gin. However things are not that way anymore. A dry London
Gin is now generally used for the Tom while Dutch Gin is used
for John.
Here
is the basic recipe plus some of the many variations.Above
all make sure this drink is served in a true Collins glass.
It is meant as a really long drink.
The
Gin Fizz is one variation of a Collins using the same ingredients
but served in a much smaller glass. Many bars pass of a Gin
Fizz as a Collins.
The
Gin & Tonic is another variation of the Collins in which
Tonic Water is substituted for Soda Water. This drink is not
only a thirst quencher but a real tonic due to the quinine
contained in the tonic water.
For the Basic Collins You Will Need:
- 3-4
oz Dry Gin
- Juice
of one Lemon
- I
tablespoon Sugar or Sugar Syrup
- Cracked
ice
- Soda
Water
- One
lemon slice and Maraschino Cherry for garnish
Method:
- Put
the gin, lemon juice, sugar and ice together in a Collins
glass;
- Fill
with soda water and stir.
- Garnish
with a slice of Lemon and Maraschino Cherry.
- Note: If you are using a Holland or Old Tom Gin
then reduce sugar by half.
Now
for the variations:
Colonel
Collins - replace the gin with bourbon
Mike
Collins (Irish Collins) - use Irish Whiskey
Rum
Collins - use Cuban rum (add a sprig of mint and you have
a Mojito (Moe-hee-toe);
Pierre
Collins - made with Cognac
Sandy
Collins - Scotch whisky;
Rye
Collins - use rye whiskey
Vodka
Collins - use vodka
Canadain
Collins - make two swaps, use Canadian Whiskey in place
the gin and replace the sugar with maple syrup;
Tequila
Collins - use Tequila.
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